While it wasn't a classic encounter, the roar from the Madrid's home stadium was unmistakable. After a long wait, Jude Bellingham once again found himself before the home supporters with his arms wide open, listening to the fans' singing of Hey Jude. Following a lengthy layoff and uncertainty about his position, he netted his opening strike of the campaign, eventually securing a 1-0 victory for Real Madrid over a Italian opponent that put up a fight. “It was a tough battle,” commented the Belgian goalkeeper.
Decisive Stops Ensure the Win
Courtois understood better than anyone, having to save a one-on-one from Dušan Vlahović and make another crucial save from the French midfielder in the dying moments. This result leaves Madrid on a strong tally and Igor Tudor’s team below the cut. At the end of a game with more shots than fluid football, the Juventus manager may reflect on a promising opening, with those opportunities representing a missed chance around the closing stages; their current situation though makes for concerning reading.
“A side from Italy in difficulty is doubly threatening,” Xabi Alonso had warned beforehand.
Juventus, who were without a victory since last month, did cause Madrid problems at the start and again near the conclusion. Madrid commanded the ball, with a significant advantage, but Juventus threatened on the counter, particularly with Pierre Kalulu running and Vlahović linking up, managing 12 shots compared to the hosts' 27.
Promising Start for Away Side
They had started well, certainly. After just three minutes, they thought they were ahead, Vlahović a little unlucky to be called for holding Éder Militão. Shortly after, the Madrid defender had to slide in front of Vlahović when Kalulu broke free on the right. And three minutes after that, Weston McKennie's effort was pushed wide.
Next, from Federico Gatti's drive, was a even better save. Fifteen minutes had passed. That said, soon the visitors' impetus had dissipated as well. Madrid assumed command. Mostly it was rather mechanical, however, and the three best opportunities came to Aurélien Tchouaméni, who is not the coach's preferred forward. Two were off target, a third one deflected wide; another chance with the head was wasted by Militão.
Turkish Talent Impresses
Most creative play were provided by Arda Güler. Güler, whose play was the nearest thing there was to fluidity, was constantly in the action. His clever control and spin saw him clip to the far post for the Englishman.
Little was seen of the French superstar early on, but when he did appear it was the nearest Madrid came to scoring. First his shot was denied by Michele Di Gregorio, who would produce several stops. Next some exquisite dribbling saw him evade the full-back repeatedly until he went down to the ground and laid off to Militão to fire over.
Late Tension
The Brazilian threw himself to halt the runner at the outset of the second period, and then came the customary save from the keeper when unexpectedly Vlahović was through. The “assist” had been quite something, with the defender cutting out a pass inside his own area and the ball bouncing from the instep of his boot directly through the center to beyond the center circle. Sprinting after it, ample room appearing, Vlahović outpaced Militão, holding him off and heading into the area where the keeper made the stop.
Next what tends to happen happened, the stop compensated for by the goal that comes after it. A flash from Vinícius Júnior set up it, creating enough space amid multiple defenders to release a driven effort which struck the upright. Positioned in that striker’s role was Bellingham. The breakthrough found, Madrid ought to have sealed the game, the Frenchman stopped by the keeper and Fede Valverde seeing his half-volley blocked by Gatti. Then Di Gregorio made a superb quick saves from Mbappé and the attacking midfielder.
There were more scares: as the game was slipping away, the defender had to make a incredible last-ditch tackle as Madrid were opened up and at the mercy of the substitute momentarily alone in the area. Then in the dying moments Courtois dived to stop Thuram, his work done. For Juve, there was no route to a comeback, the opening goal of the season the last of the encounter.
“I'm overjoyed, a while now since I’ve found the net, a lot of time out and thinking of that instant, returning in the elite competition and against a big team. To score a winner, in our stadium, it’s incredible. I was at ease, excellent. To perform was crucial and to net the match-winner benefits the team a lot.”
As for his performance, he continued: “I didn’t think last year was a failure, with fifteen strikes, fourteen setups, but I know the perception was that it was poorer. But I was a contributor to that, how we didn’t play as well last year, there were nonetheless positive spells but not the level I aim to play at, not the caliber like the first year. Now I’ve had my operation, a different coach, he’s got that shape, how we want to play…. You have to take lessons.”
